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I've revisited a couple tracks that had been returned for previous meditation listings, attempting to observe and implement the screener's comments. Here's one with a fairly aggressive re-write (the original had a really shrill alto recorder lead):

Night Calling (V3) [updated link has changed - see post #11 below]

the listing is S230608TN

CURRENT-Sounding RELAXING MEDITATION INSTRUMENTALS are needed by a Major European Media Company for a variety of Non-Exclusive opportunities!
This Company is looking for peaceful Instrumentals that could be heard on a playlist with the following references:
Nonstop by Dan Maus
Bhakti Mantra by Marco Rinaldo
Free by Miracle Tones
Send them well-composed Meditation Instrumentals that evoke relaxing, tranquil, and peaceful vibes. Your submissions should have soothing organic or electronic-based instrumentation (or a blend of both!). Your arrangements can range from "drone-like" to some subtle melodic movement – just be sure to keep the mood calm, meditative, and serene. Your production should be polished and any virtual sounds or samples you use need to be high-quality and current-sounding.
TAXI Tip: This Company is looking for Instrumentals that put listeners in a trance and are utterly relaxing. If you listen to your piece in the dark, and something in the track catches your attention (even if it's super cool), you should probably get rid of it. This is all about freeing the mind from distractions.
IMPORTANT: Please do NOT include any sound effects in your music such as animal sounds, waterfalls, wind chimes, raindrops, etc.
Your Instrumentals should be at least 2 minutes long and no longer than 4 minutes, give or take. Do NOT copy the referenced examples in any way, shape, or form. Use them only as a general guide for tempo, tone, and vibe. Broadcast Quality is needed.

Two of the ref tracks for this listing match the ref tracks from the prior listing, so I thought I might be in the ballpark already. Are the synths too heavy-handed? Too muddy or dense? Comments and suggestions welcome.

Thanks,
Alan

A couple of pieces of advice regarding relaxing music here made me laugh:
https://vi-control.net/community/thread ... sic.89231/

Casey

To be fair, the second reference has a minor feel to it. Your track has a distinctly Dorian mode sound to it, the D drone with C major or A minor over it, I think the flatted 7th (C) takes this away from the 'relaxing' feel and makes it more suspenseful. This seems more of a 'neutral' mood versus a 'relaxing' mood. You might do an alt version of this and remove any C and F naturals from the pads, knock them all down a half step to add B and E naturals. This would give it a lighter, major pentatonic sound. Good track, keep this for a 'neutral' listing, I think the mood is a little too dark to be considered relaxing... I've had a couple of meditation drone returns for that very reason.

Casey H wrote: ↑

Fri May 26, 2023 5:36 am

A couple of pieces of advice regarding relaxing music here made me laugh:
https://vi-control.net/community/thread ... sic.89231/

Casey

Yes! Some snarky fun mixed with good advice
Thanks for pointing me at that discussion, Casey!

Telefunkin wrote: ↑

Fri May 26, 2023 2:10 am

I might also say that although the analog synth sound is nice, its a bit retro, whereas the listing says "current-sounding".
...and I think the suggestion of using subtle, soothing organic instrumentation is a good one to counter the analog synth sound. Good luck .

I struggled a bit with the 'sawtooth-y' nature of the drone I chose. I agree something smoother and more organic would be a better fit. Call that one laziness, I should (and will, now) find something more suitable. If I get around to another revision of this track.

Telefunkin wrote: ↑

Fri May 26, 2023 2:10 am

..all the refs are major to give those emotions and a positive vibe. Night Calling is minor and that alone lends a less positive or soothing vibe, and for me that puts it out of the running. I get slightly unsettling and mysterious from it..

Paulie wrote: ↑

Fri May 26, 2023 7:08 pm

I think the flatted 7th (C) takes this away from the 'relaxing' feel and makes it more suspenseful. This seems more of a 'neutral' mood versus a 'relaxing' mood... Good track, keep this for a 'neutral' listing, I think the mood is a little too dark to be considered relaxing...

All good points. The track is straight D dorian, with the additional constraint of omitting the third entirely from the scale (I think, in all instruments?). My hope was that without an explicit minor tonic, it would be enough to keep it from sounding ominously dark. Dark to be sure; check the title if any confusion about my sense of the mood existed. Maybe I just like chillin' on the patio late at night? I find it peaceful and relaxing

Yes, the flat 7th keeps it from being "major". That's a fact I'll surely keep in mind for future pieces.
...unsettling, mysterious, suspenseful, neutral...
I will tune my brain to recognize and avoid these moods in my meditation cues. I still think there's a place for that in "new age compositions", though. Yes?

Thanks for taking the time to help a fledgling composer, very much appreciated!

Hey, Alan.
Without having heard the previous versions of your track, nor having read the other comments - here's some fresh feedback from unbiased old-guy ears.
1) I like the track - which gives me mental images of deep space, space travel, space telescope photography, etc.
That stated, rather than Meditation Music - I would describe it and place it more in the category of Cinematic Soundscape.
2) For easy search identification and placement-sake, I suggest you give it a new and more appropriate title.

Hope that helps, and that your track finds a proper good home.
Cheers.

funsongs wrote: ↑

Sat May 27, 2023 3:25 pm

...gives me mental images of deep space, space travel, space telescope photography, etc...

Peter,
My mind is blown - I would have never thought of that. Thanks! This is what the P2P forum is for; great observations and suggestions. Love it!

Oddly enough, a piece I submitted for relaxing study music was critiqued (returned) by the screener as "perhaps a better fit for space, science and introspective style requests" so there's a thread there? An opportunity to 1) fix my expectations (definitely) and 2) find a niche with the space/tech/science cues (maybe).

AlanHall wrote: ↑

Sat May 27, 2023 5:08 pm

funsongs wrote: ↑

Sat May 27, 2023 3:25 pm

...gives me mental images of deep space, space travel, space telescope photography, etc...

Peter,
My mind is blown - I would have never thought of that. Thanks! This is what the P2P forum is for; great observations and suggestions. Love it!

Oddly enough, a piece I submitted for relaxing study music was critiqued (returned) by the screener as "perhaps a better fit for space, science and introspective style requests" so there's a thread there? An opportunity to 1) fix my expectations (definitely) and 2) find a niche with the space/tech/science cues (maybe).

Maybe a good re-title would be "We're Not Alone"...
HA HA HA!!
"Toto - We Aint In Kansas Anymore!"

Graham, Casey, Paulie, Peter, et. al.,

correction: There were a lot of F naturals in the harmony parts, I mis-remembered that fact.

Out of sheer curiosity I transposed the D drone pattern up 3 semitones to an F, just to hear what it would sound like with an F in the bass (major 3rds, 7ths) instead of the D in the bass (minor 3rds, 7ths). Much more 'major sounding', I think. One concession to the change of mode was to end on a F rather than the D in the melody. No other changes to the melody line were made.

Updated cue live, please tell me if it is more relaxing and meditative now

Night Calling (V3.1)